In the afternoon, we had a class with seven of the Gee's Bend quilt makers. From left to right: (I've forgotten the first woman's name. I think it was Rivla?) Anyway, next is Mary Ann Pettway, Louisiana Bendolph, Stella Mae Pettway, Lucy Mingo, China Pettway and Ruth Kennedy.

After a bit of singing, we all got to work. Stella Mae helped me make this.

Look who else was in the class. Janet Bolton from London! She is a lovely woman. I hope to take a class from her someday.

This is where we ate and slept, all seven of us Rebels, very comfortably in a cabin that was larger than these.

With a beautiful creek just outside the window.

Friday was the "Garden Party" class with Kathy Doughty of Material Obsession. Here she is, helping me with my quilt. She is amazingly talented, generous, fun and approachable. Two of her Australian "posse" helped out, also extremely talented and friendly. Oh, to be able to work with them more often!! Below are some other quilts made in the class.

Saturday was the quilt show, with 1,300 quilts all hung outside. They say it's the largest outdoor quilt show in the world!

There were so many fabulous quilts. I focused on the Gee's Bend ones to share here.

This one is by Stella Mae Pettway.

This one is by Mary Ann Pettway.

This one is by Rita Mae Pettway.

This one is by Ruth Kennedy.

Remember the block contest I entered? Here are about half of the entries.

Mine is top left.

Here's the winner, well deserved!

One of the most impressive things about the Sisters Quilt Show is the community participation. Everyone comes out to help. Here are some girls selling water.

Here are the Gee's Bend gals, ready to sign books. L to R: Lucy Mingo, Ruth Kennedy, Stella Mae Pettway, China Pettway and Mary Ann Pettway. I've been fortunate to have seen them four times, and it's always hard to say "good bye." This time, I'm saying, "See you at your place next time!"

Then it was time to leave beautiful Sisters, Oregon. Mountains like these stand all around.

On Sunday, Tonya and I got to play in my sewing room. My neighbor, Shannon, brought over a kitten so Tonya could get her kitty fix.

Then we played with orphan blocks. Gratitude is a fitting word for how I'm feeling about this great trip, the visit with Tonya, all the talented quilt makers out there, the Rebels gals, and you with whom to share it all!

36 comments:

I just want to hug you for sharing all these photos with us!! What an amazing time it must have been surrounded by friends and inspiring people and incredible quilts!! And such a beautiful setting. I really hope I'll be able to attend a Sisters Festival one day.

Thanks for the Sisters update, I haven't seen many blogs posting photos so it was great to see yours. I love what you've done with your applique! And the kitty is sooo cute, glad Tonya could get her kitty fix!

Thanks for all the great photos and stories. I would LOVE to go there someday! I'm from the midwest and I'm just getting a quilting business going. Retreats, patterns, trunk shows and workshops. Take a look if ya get a chance. I'm gonna have a booth at the AQS show in Des Moines this fall if you get chance to go to that, I'd love to meet you! Been following your blog for a while.Brenda....the Farmer's Dotter

Thank you for share LeeAnn. It must have been wonderful and exciting. I like that you centered on G.B. quilts. You know what we are expecting for...Love the quilt you are making. Those orphan blocks look great.Beautiful solid colors!!.

so jealous looks like a wonderful time was had by alllove the way your quilt is coming along...ah yes gratitude....great word to describe your tripI have always wanted to come to the Sisters quilt showand take a class with Kathy. a dreamnot my style quilts but I know I could learn so much and have fun at the same time!Kathie

Thanks for all the great pics. Very inspirational. I'm making plans to go to Sisters next summer. We've been there for the mountains, but not the quilts...yet. And I love seeing what was on the design wall when you and Tonya were playing. What fun!

Spending time sewing and sharing with quilters is the best, isn't it!!! Thanks for sharing with all of us. I have been in awe of the Gee's Bend group since way back - love the piece you created int he class. I must ask, your comment about the singing really intrigued me! Tell more about that!

Oh My! What a fabulous time you all must have had. I wish I would have been there! Your words and pictures have made my day. Thanks so much for sharing all. That blue/red/grey/gold quilt by Stella Mae leaves me breathless. However, your "gratitude" piece with the orphan blocks is looking mighty nice. Tell Stella Mae she best watch out. :)

such a wonderful time. I believe that's Rival Mosely on the left in your Gee's Bend quilters photo. you did a MUCH better job than I did of taking photos. Gracie the kitten was such a sweetie pie - hope she and Junie B. find a great home. the tulip and gratitude quilt is fantastic - love it! Hope the transition back to work has gone smoothly. (boo! we need more quilting time!)

What an amazing trip. Great to hear you enjoyed the Aussie class. Love all the pictures. The outdoor show looked incredible. It always surprises me how many people are into making things and it is so inspiring to realise how appreciated the craft of quilt making is. I am enjoying the evolution of your orphan blocks into a single work. Thanks for your mini show for those of us who can only wish we were there.

Wow! What a fabulous trip and adventure! The Gees Bend Ladies and Janet Bolton to boot, what a treat! I really, really need to get out more and do something like this one day. Thanks for letting me live a little vicariously thorough you!

What a great post! I am in love with Gee's Bend quilts and am terribly envious. Your collaboration with Stella Mae is just beautiful. Want to see where you go with it. Your Gratitude quilt is perfect! Thanks a million for sharing.

Revil Mosely. I met her in 2009. Isn't Sisters just the best? And I was so happy the weather was better than in years past. I did three big long blog posts with my photos and now I am having a giveaway on a brand new Mary Lou Weidman book if you're interested in throwing your name in my magical hat!

well what a wonderful time and plenty of wonderful quilts to look at as well,and your block looks great in with the others,my modem wasn't working and I didn't have internet for a while and I got a new one ,I don't know how I managed without internet for nearly 2 weeks,thanks for the photos you gals must have had a great time.

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About Me

I've been making quilts since 2005, and am a big fan of Gwen Marston, Anna Williams, Denyse Schmidt, the Gee's Bend gals and old string quilts--the quirkier, the better. I love new fabrics, but my favorite source is the men's shirt rack at the local thrift shop.